Evenly divided House sets tone of bipartisanship

(The Center Square) – One member down, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives struck an, at times, somber yet congenial bipartisan tone as they opened the 209th legislative session.

Rep. Matt Gergley, D-McKeesport, remains hospitalized in Allegheny County following a medical emergency he suffered over the holiday, leaving the chamber evenly split with 101 members on each side of the aisle.

Nevertheless, the election and appointments of leadership roles went off without a hitch. After a tied first round of voting for Speaker of the House, Minority Leader Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford, removed his name from the running, clearing the way for Democrats to re-elect Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, the first woman to have served in the role.

Leadership from both parties acknowledged the tense political moment in which the 2025-26 session is situated.

“With the challenges we face, be it economic uncertainty, social and political divides, or the erosion of trust in our institutions, leadership must not only be competent but also courageous, compassionate and intentional,” said Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Philadelphia, in her nomination of McClinton.

“I look forward to the policy solutions my colleagues will present to some of the commonwealth’s most pressing challenges and to spirited and respectful debate in this chamber,” said McClinton in remarks following her election.

Highlighting past bipartisan successes she added, “In our House, it doesn’t matter where a good idea comes from as long as it helps the people we serve.”

“Our chamber today proved that it can cooperate and it can operate, and that is a bipartisan achievement that many did not think we could achieve,” said Majority Leader Matt Bradford, D-Norristown. “You’re a good man, Mr. Topper, and I thank you.”

Given the close divide, House leadership worked to create rules that would give the Republican minority sufficient voice.

Speaking before the vote on the session’s rules, Rep. Topper said, “I think we will find that these rules will enhance and allow more debate on the floor of the House, more input from the minority, and the opportunity to do more of our work in committees that we see as vitally important in terms of developing public policy.”

The rules were approved in a 196-6 vote.

Throughout today’s ceremonies, there were glimpses of some of the “spirited debates” to come, with Bradford acknowledging the unsettled matter of long-term funding for mass transit funding, a major concern for constituents in the Philadelphia region, and the need to keep up momentum on school funding.

Topper implored his colleagues to view their roles in public service as “a calling.” Reminding them of dinner-table concerns, he evoked a series of pressure points plaguing the commonwealth, including cost of living, the labor shortage, and long-term care for the state’s growing senior population.

Members were sworn in by Pennsylvania’s first female Chief Justice, Debra Todd. Among the 16 freshman representatives were five Democrats and 11 Republicans.

Leaders in the Democratic Caucus include Leader Bradford; Whip Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Allentown; Caucus Chariman Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Ambridge; Caucus Secretary Rep. Tina Davis, D-Levittown; Caucus Administrator Rep. Leanne Krueger, D-Brookhaven; Policy Chairman Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie; and Appropriations Chairman Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia.

Leaders in the Republican Caucus include Leader Topper; Whip Rep. Tim O’Neal, R-Washington; Appropriations Chair Rep. Jim Struzzi, R-Indiana; Caucus Chairman Rep. Martina White, R-Philadelphia; Caucus Administrator Rep. Sheryl Delozier, R-Camp Hill; Caucus Secretary Rep. Clint Owlett, R-Wellsboro; and Policy Committee Chair Rep. David Rowe, R-Middleburg.

Committee appointments were also announced.